Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek- offbeat trekking destination in Nepal

Lonely planet describes, “The sunrise view at Kanchenjunga 8586m is a kind of view that inspires religion.” Truly, trekking to the Base Camp of Mt. Kanchenjunga, which is world’s third highest peak, is fascinating experience. Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek best suits to enthusiastic trekkers who strive to experience something pleasantly odd out of offbeat trek in Nepal. Trekkers have a choice; either to visit south Base Camp at Ramche 4360m or to cross over Mirgin La Pass 4663m to explore both South Base Camp at Ramche and North Base Camp at Pang Pema 5140m. Located in extreme northeast region of Nepal, Kanchenjunga borders Indian State, Sikkim to the East and China to the north.

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek- gaining elevation as high as 5140m

Cutting edge ridges of Chang Peak aka Wedge Peak 6800m

Here we have a brief travel guide on Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek, which would really help all those trekkers planning to Trek to this part of Nepal.

Getting to the starting point

By road– Board a bus at Kathmandu and drive to the major Eastern city of Nepal, Biratnagar. Ten to twelve hours of road journey could be intriguing but often it is exhausting. Overnight stay at Biratnagar and next morning drive 3-4 hours to reach the trek starting point, Phidim (a beautiful small town in the eastern mid-hills)

By air: Skipping a roadway saves your time but could be little more expensive. Instead, take a short flight to Biratnagar and drive on a same day to Phidim to begin the trek next day.

A typical Limbu house- an ethnical tribe in the region

Freezing Himalayan breeze floating above Mt. Kanchenjunga

Trek Type

Trek to Kanchenjunga Base Camp these days could be arranged in teahouse basis. However, we do not recommend you for such treks. Limited resources for accommodation and food may ruin the pleasure of entire trek. So, we encourage Fully organized treks. Though expensive, comfortable sleep in tents every night and 3 meals of hygienic food every day, cooked by professional Sherpa cooks is highly recommended.

Guides and porters:

Depending on a group size, one or two Sherpa guides lead the trek. One Sherpa cook with one or two kitchen boy, 2-3 porters per guest trekkers to carry necessary logistics accompany the group of trekkers to Kanchenjunga Base Camp.

Alpine wilderness of Kanchenjunga

Trek Highlights:

Although, the entire trekking trail to Kanchenjunga Base Camp offers high degree of adventurous thrill, many of these highlights imprints permanently in the memories of trekkers.The Trek to Kanchenjunga Base Camp highlights extreme wilderness in nature, adventurous trekking thrills and traditional authentic culture of Eastern Nepal.

Himalayas

The jaw dropping views of the Kanchenjunga from the North Base Camp at Pang Pema (5140 M), the exceptional beauty of Kanchenjunga Glacier, sharp ridges of Chang Himal (Wedge Peak) 6800m soaring above Kanchenjunga Glacier, the magnificence of Taple Shikhar, The Twin Mountains, Pyramid Peak and Tent Peak are fascinating highlights of Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek. Similarly, Mt. Kumbhakarna, an extreme vertical white mass towering above Mt. Khabur and Mt. Phole is one of the rarest views during any trek in Nepal. Picturesque backdrop of Chijma Peak against stunning Lhonak Glacier, the appealing beauty of Rathong and Kabru Dome Peaks and the excellence of Yalung Glacier are also major highlights of Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek.

The panorama of Eastern Himalayas perfectly blends with culture of the region

Trial

The trail offers a pleasant trek through the dense alpine woodlands that include bamboo, bright red rhododendron, oak, chestnut, pine and juniper trees. Trekking along the deep valleys formed by Baby Rivers that emerge from Himalayas and witnessing unstoppable vertical flow of these Rivers while crossing them over narrow suspension bridges is a sheer adventure. Crossing over high passes of Dhupi Bhanjyang 2540m, Lamite Bhanjyang 3410m, Deurali Bhanjyang 3800m and Mirgin La 4663m from one valley to another is wonderful experience on offbeat trekking trail in Nepal. Since Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek is one of the least frequented trekking regions in Nepal, trekkers rarely encounter with human. Sometimes walking for days even do not bring a single human into the sight. So, the trek creates enough opportunities to witness alpine wildlife that include musk deer, blue sheep and elusive snow leopard. World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) working region to protect snow leopard Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Project, has GPS collared snow leopards roaming in the region. Also, walk through sparsely populated pleasant villages in the highland makes the trial uniquely awesome.

Amazing culture in the Highland regions of Kanchenjunga

Experience

The biggest achievement is to complete four-week long strenuous trek in the most remote corner of Nepal. An opportunity to live few days with highland Nepali communities such as Rai, Limbu, Sherpa and Gurung and have an insightful peep into the culture of these people are experiences larger than life. Exploration of highland monasteries and experience of the hospitality of highland folks, electrifying walk over Yalung Glacier and challenges to overcome of high mountain passes are also the biggest experiences of Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek.